IKHLASS- A ROAD TO PARADISE. PURIFICATION TO PERFECTION--.

IKHLASS- A ROAD TO PARADISE. PURIFICATION TO PERFECTION--. GAWAH EXPRESS 25JULY2023 We the Believers have huge responsibilities towards Allah swt and His creation, having been gifted with a guidebook like The Holy Qur’an and a Prophet and an ideal person to follow like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” (Quran SurahAl-Ahzab: 21) High moral standard is said to be a core pillar which ensures prosperity of individuals and the society generally. Man, therefore, is born with a moral sense which clearly enables him to differentiate between right and wrong, good and bad. That is why it is not out of place to say a society, shrouded in immoral acts, is certain to breed wayward and unscrupulous elements. In order to actually submit to good morality, one must speak the truth, keep promises, respect family ties, and help the poor, less privileged and weak ones. This possibly has not been unconnected with the fact that the Muslims took their guidance from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W2.). Sadly enough, these moral qualities that ought to be imbibed by all and sundry diminish or were drastically absent among the Muslim society today. Immoral Acts and their Resultant Effect among the Society: Character moulding is a collective enterprise that involves many people in the society. These include parents, teachers, well-to-do and religious leaders as well as other members of the public. Each of these groups has a critical role in ensuring that members of the society become good citizens so as to be able to contribute to meaningful development in their respective areas. Isn’t it our moral duty to put reminders to all our brothers and sisters involving particularly those vulnerable youth to substance abuse, and immorality through our interactive inspiring posts, using modern technology and social media? . The word ikhlas denotes purifying our motives and intentions so that our actions are not tainted by anything other than seeking the pleasure of Allah. Ikhlas or sincerity is the first key that opens the heart to receive the mercy of Allah Almighty. In fact, the acceptance of one’s deeds depends on one’s purity of intention, which in turn depends on the level of sincerity in one’s heart. With sincerity, a person can attain the highest ranks in the sight of Allah Almighty, make the most of his or her deeds, and even be rewarded for righteous deeds that he or she was not able to perform. The path towards Allah (swt) and road towards paradise is illuminated when a person recognizes the central place of Allah in his /her life and strives to develop him/herself accordingly. Today, Believers seem to have lost the true spirit, meaning and practice. The Divine guidance has been forgotten, and earthly traditions have replaced the moral norms in our traditional God fearing modest society. Disunity and even hatred exists among various Muslim populations especially religious preachers, scholar’s or guides divided into sects involved in fighting , verbal duels in race for nowhere - who’s better Muslim. Some Muslims, for example, are falling for the gross materialism of this world, prioritising publicity (riyaa kaari) rather than working at ground roots with sincerity above self or bias of sectarian beliefs.. The obligation of applying the principles and lifestyle of our beloved Prophet saw in one’s life and in one’s society has been forgotten. There should be a clear message that the correct belief must be firmly implanted in the heart before any true fruits are to be expected. It is the true Iman and Aqedah that allows the person to internalize the Quran and apply its injunctions sincerely and properly, by correcting one’s Aqedah or one’s belief system, to see the sunnah practices around us, in our life style, and day to day work dealings. “Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allâh’s reminder (this Qur’an), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scriptures before, and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fâsiqûn (the rebellious, the disobedient to Allâh).” (Quran Ch; Al-Hadeed :016) . One of the main reasons Muslims today find it very hard to master their actions and fall into array is a direct result of lack of serious strive against one’s soul. The Quran teaches us that neglecting to hold the soul to account may lead to serious consequences, the corruption of soul and the heart. Allah (swt) has made our souls such that if they were not fought against and controlled, they command their possession to commit evil and obscene, drug addiction, alcoholism and adultery, crime, corruption and fitnah. Hazrat Umar ibni Khattab (RA) used to say, “call your souls to account before you are called to account and weigh your actions before you are weighed(on the day of judgement) for that will make the accountability easier for your tomorrow if you call yourselves to account today.”Tazkiyah The term nearest in meaning in self-development in the Quran vocabulary is;tazkiyah. Tazkiyah means purification and refers to the cleansing of human self from all that is unwholesome and undesirable. Success and happiness in this world and Hereafter depend on tazkiyah, the purification and nurturing of our personality. The Quran states that true success is only reserved for those who seek to purify themselves; ` Indeed he succeeded who purifies his own self `[Quran Ash shams;09]. Today when we are facing technology explosion, our youth has to divide his/her time between futuristic career work ups, coaching centers, TV, videos, shopping malls, motor bike stunts, speeding cars, fashion trends, cell phones and the internet. The youth of today is techno-savvy, very knowledgeable regarding modern technology, but is actually illiterate when it comes to knowledge and practice about the Deen or about morality, ethics, discipline, character and spirituality- a modern version of jahliya a new age of ignorance; Isn’t it our moral duty to put reminders to all our brothers and sisters, our children on right and wrong, honesty and corruption, by using modern technology with main focus on youth vulnerable to substance abuse .If man wastes these blessings and bounties without taking any advantage of them, undoubtedly we will be held responsible for them on the Resurrection Day. Accordingly, we must be aware of our responsibility towards society when we are facing moral decline at its highest. One must feel a responsibility to Allah on the Resurrection Day. Thus Allah, the Almighty, will hold him to account on that Day for the inaction. Allah (swt ) says in Quran,Surah adh-Dhaariyaat,verse 55,”And remind (by preaching the Qur’ân, O Muhammad[sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam]), for verily, the reminding profits the believers.]. The Quran and Sunnah remove the darkness of the world. Knowledge is enlightenment. Verily, never will Allah (ST) change a condition of a people unless they change it themselves, with their souls. Only thing we need to develop is “IKHLAAS,’- the quality of performing a deed purely and solely for Allah’s sake. It is obligatory upon everyone and in particular for whether he/she is calling people that he /she intends by his/her knowledge to seek the pleasure of Allah. This is particularly true for the one who is considering himself a worker for the sake of Allah- calling others to faith for the sake of Allah ,enjoining good and prevention of evil for the sake of Allah, usually this point is forgotten as sincere Not necessarily Muslims get so involved in stereo type groups and organizations of faith that they begin working and calling it to their group or their group head rather than calling for the sake of Allah. For the believer, the most coveted goal in life is to seek the pleasure of Allah and then paradise. Our Creator has set this goal for us,: “And surely paradise itis the goal-Quran (an- naziat-4) indeed the next abode it is truly the life(QuranAl-ankabut20).May Allah (swt) guide us and our youth to the straight path.Ameen! .(The writer is a medico , but writes on short inspirational stories with a moral message to motivate you in life_) --